India’s first Equine Disease-Free Compartment

India has established its first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College in Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh. This facility has received official recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), a significant step that will allow Indian sport horses to compete internationally while adhering to global biosecurity standards.

Key Features and Significance of the EDFC:

• Collaborative Effort: The EDFC was developed through the coordinated efforts of:
  • Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying)
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Equestrian Federation of India (EFI)
  • Government of Uttar Pradesh
• Adherence to WOAH Guidelines: The facility ensures strict adherence to WOAH’s guidelines for compartmentalization, which include:
  • Robust biosecurity measures.
  • Veterinary surveillance.
  • Disease exclusion protocols.
• Certified Disease-Free: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has confirmed that the EDFC is certified free from major equine diseases, including:
  • Equine Infectious Anemia
  • Equine Influenza
  • Equine Piroplasmosis
  • Glanders
  • Surra
• African Horse Sickness Status: India has also maintained its freedom from African Horse Sickness since 2014.
• Impact on International Competition: This EDFC is crucial for enabling Indian sport horses to participate in international competitions, as it meets the stringent biosecurity requirements set by global equestrian and animal health bodies.

(Source: AIR)